Short answer
Yes for children, no for adults. Richmond Dental Care accepts children’s Texas Medicaid and CHIP dental plans from DentaQuest, MCNA and UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Dental, for checkups, cleanings, fluoride, sealants and routine treatment such as fillings and extractions. We are not in network for adult Medicaid, but we do accept Medicare Advantage plans that include dental benefits, all PPO plans, and self-pay patients with published prices and financing.
Who can use Medicaid at our office?
The short version is in the table below. If you are not sure which group you fall into, call us with your card in hand and we will check before you book. Our frequently asked questions page also covers insurance and payment.
| Your coverage | Can you use it at Richmond Dental Care? | What it is used for here |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Medicaid (child) | Yes, with DentaQuest, MCNA or UHC Dental | Exams, cleanings, fluoride, sealants |
| CHIP (child) | Yes, with DentaQuest, MCNA or UHC Dental | Exams, cleanings, fluoride, sealants |
| Texas Medicaid (adult) | No, we are not in network | You can still be seen as a self-pay patient |
| Medicare Advantage with dental benefits | Yes | Covered dental services under your plan |
| Original Medicare (Parts A and B) | Does not cover routine dental care | Self-pay or a separate dental plan |
| All PPO dental plans | Yes, verified before your visit | Covered services under your plan |
Which children’s Medicaid and CHIP plans do you accept?
In Texas, children’s Medicaid and CHIP dental benefits are managed by dental plans. For children, we are in network with these plans:
- DentaQuest
- MCNA
- UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Dental
These plans are accepted for children only. The plan name is printed on your child’s card; if you are not sure which plan your child has, call us with the card and we will check.
What does children’s Medicaid or CHIP cover at our office?
We are a family practice, and we see children from their first tooth, or about age 1, for exams and cleanings, fluoride treatment and dental sealants. These visits are the ones that keep small problems from turning into bigger ones.
If your child gets a cavity or needs a tooth removed, we treat it right here, including fillings and extractions. We use local anesthetic only, so if your child needs sedation for treatment, we will explain what we found and refer you to a pediatric dentist. Children’s Medicaid and CHIP dental benefits are generally broad, so the pediatric dentist can usually use the same coverage.
Why don’t we take adult Medicaid?
Every dental office chooses which networks to join, and we are not part of the adult Medicaid dental network. That means we cannot bill adult Medicaid, even for an emergency visit. We would rather tell you that up front than have you find out at the front desk.
Adult Medicaid dental benefits in Texas are limited and depend on your plan. If you have adult Medicaid, call the member number on your card and ask for a list of in-network dentists near Richmond. Your plan can also tell you which services it covers.
What are your options if Medicaid will not cover your visit?
You can still be seen here as a self-pay patient. We publish our prices so you know the cost before you come in. A few examples:
- New patient limited exam with a panoramic X-ray and an X-ray of the problem area, for one problem tooth: $49
- New patient comprehensive exam with panoramic and intraoral X-rays: $99
- Comprehensive exam, X-rays and a basic cleaning (new patient): $179
- Root canal: starting at $899
- Full denture: starting at $1,399 per arch
See the full list on our dental prices page. For anything not listed, we give you a written estimate before treatment starts.
To spread out the cost, we work with Cherry, Sunbit and CareCredit. You can read more about Cherry payment plans on our site. If you have a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA), you can use it for dental treatment.
What about seniors on Medicare?
Original Medicare, Parts A and B, does not cover routine dental care such as cleanings, fillings or dentures. Many Medicare Advantage plans do include dental benefits, and we accept Medicare Advantage plans with dental coverage. Bring your card and we will check what your plan includes. Our senior dentistry page covers the care older adults most often need.
How do you check your coverage before booking?
- Find your card. Medicaid and CHIP in Texas are run through managed care plans, and the plan name on the card matters. For children, we accept DentaQuest, MCNA and UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Dental.
- Note who the patient is. Coverage is very different for a child and an adult.
- Call us at (832) 612-2831 with the card. We will tell you if we can bill that plan.
- If we can, we verify benefits before the visit. If we cannot, we will go over self-pay prices with you. You can also review our insurance information. For adults with employer or individual dental coverage, we are in network with PPO plans including Delta Dental PPO, Cigna and MetLife.
Our office is at 8019 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 1055, in Richmond, and our team speaks English, Spanish, Gujarati and Hindi, which helps many Fort Bend families get clear answers in their own language. Spanish-speaking families can read información en español.
When to call us
Call us if your child is due for a checkup, if you are not sure whether we take your plan, or if you have tooth pain and want to know self-pay costs before coming in. For pain, call early in the day so we can try to see you the same day. Call (832) 612-2831 — we’re open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 9am–3pm.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. We do fillings, extractions and other routine treatment for children in our office, and we accept children’s Medicaid and CHIP plans from DentaQuest, MCNA and UHC Dental. If your child needs sedation for treatment, we refer you to a pediatric dentist, who can usually use the same coverage.
Yes. We are not in network for adult Medicaid, but anyone can be seen as a self-pay patient. Our prices are published, and financing through Cherry, Sunbit or CareCredit is available.
No. CHIP covers children in families who earn too much for Medicaid but still need help with coverage. We accept both for children’s dental care through DentaQuest, MCNA and UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Dental.
Yes. Our team speaks English, Spanish, Gujarati and Hindi.
Sources
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. Every mouth is different — the right treatment for you depends on an exam.